Northern Black Forest

Travel Guide

Baden-Baden showing a bridge
Caracalla Spa showing heritage architecture and interior views
Baden-Baden showing a park
Baden-Baden featuring food
Baden-Baden showing hiking or walking

Stay in charming towns with luxurious spa facilities, enjoy scenic drives along forested mountains and see ancient monasteries in this beautiful German region.

The Northern Black Forest is a region and large mountain range in southwestern Germany. The region is known for its stunning evergreen forests, imposing mountains and winding scenic roads. Hike to a glacial lake or visit many historic villages for wellness spas and local markets.

The Black Forest inspired the famous Grimms' Fairy Tales by the Brothers Grimm. With dense native forests and endless moors, it is a place of enchanting natural beauty. Stop at a nature park for hiking, mountain biking, swimming, bird watching and more outdoor activities. The Northern Black Forest also features secluded 12th-century monastic ruins and numerous award-winning restaurants.

Allerheiligen Monastery is located in an isolated Black Forest valley. The ruins date to the 12th century and show signs of a 17th-century Baroque restoration. Admire the nearby Büttenstein Waterfall or watch an open-air theater performance at Allerheiligen Monastery during the summer. The monastery is an excellent place to stop and relax when hiking the surrounding forest areas.

Hornisgrinde is one of the highest mountains in the Northern Black Forest region. Take a long-distance footpath across the forest ridge to the summit plateau. The mountain features spectacular views of the surrounding moor landscape. It also has a 107-foot-tall (32.5-meter) observation tower, called Hornisgrinde Tower.

Mummelsee is a pretty lake on the southern mountainside of Hornisgrinde. The lake features exceptional views and a luxurious alpine-style hotel. Enjoy delicious cuisine at the hotel restaurant or take a paddleboat around the lake. Mummelsee is also near miles of hiking trails through picturesque forest areas.

The Northern Black Forest is located in the state of Baden-Württemberg in southwestern Germany. Take the Schwarzwald-Bäderstraße (Black Forest Spa Route) through scenic valleys to historic villages and resort towns. The Northern Black Forest also features peaceful spa towns, such as Bad Wildbad and Baden-BadenOpens in a new window. Alternatively, stay in Pforzheim, a large city at the Black Forest’s northern entrance.

Dine in a Michelin Star-decorated restaurant between exploring many vast natural areas in the Northern Black Forest.

Where to stay in Northern Black Forest

Trinkhalle featuring a park

Baden Baden Old Town

Baden Baden Old Town is known for its relaxing spas, and you can plan a trip to Friedrichsbad and Casino Baden-Baden while you're in town.

Baden Baden Old Town
Karlsruhe which includes art and interior views

Karlsruhe City Centre

The museums and gardens are just a few things visitors like about Karlsruhe City Centre. Marketplace Square and Karlsruhe Palace are worthwhile spots to check out, and you can hop on the metro at Ettlinger Tor U-Bahn or Ettlinger Tor Tram Stop to get around the larger area.

Karlsruhe City Centre
Gardens of Karlsruhe Palace, Germany
#GreatOutdoors

Innenstadt-West

Get to know Innenstadt-West and its many features like its museums and gardens. You might want to explore sights like Karlsruhe Palace and Kaiserstraße, and you can jump on the metro at Marktplatz (Kaiserstraße U) Tram Stop or Karlstor/Bundesgerichtshof Tram Stop to get around the city.

Innenstadt-West
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Geroldsau

While there might not be top attractions in Geroldsau, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Geroldsau Waterfall and Lichtentaler Allee Park.

Geroldsau
Parkhotel Pforzheim
Parkhotel Pforzheim
4.5 out of 5
Deimlingstrasse 32-36, Pforzheim, BW
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Pforzheim. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Theatre Pforzheim and Pforzheim ...
9/10 Wonderful! (482 reviews)
"It’s a beautiful hotel. The food at the restaurant was so good"

Reviewed on May 7, 2025

Parkhotel Pforzheim
Maison Messmer - ein Mitglied der Hommage Luxury Hotels Collection
Maison Messmer - ein Mitglied der Hommage Luxury Hotels Collection
5 out of 5
Werderstr. 1, Baden-Baden, BW
The price is P15,603 per night from Jul 6 to Jul 7
P15,603
P17,201 total
Jul 6 - Jul 7
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Baden-Baden. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (744 reviews)
"Great hotel, unbelievable breakfast and really amazingly decorated spa. Two small issues were the air conditioning was not strong enough and that the parking was very expensive as there are no hotel parking spots"

Reviewed on Jun 30, 2025

Maison Messmer - ein Mitglied der Hommage Luxury Hotels Collection
Hotel Restaurant Erbprinz
Hotel Restaurant Erbprinz
5 out of 5
Rheinstrasse 1, Ettlingen, BW
The price is P12,360 per night from Jul 5 to Jul 6
P12,360
P13,225 total
Jul 5 - Jul 6
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Ettlingen. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and 2 restaurants. Popular attractions Ettlingen Palace and Albgaubad Outdoor ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (198 reviews)
"Wonderful hotel. I come back every year."

Reviewed on May 28, 2025

Hotel Restaurant Erbprinz
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
ADORO Aparthotel
ADORO Aparthotel
Henri-Dunant-Platz 1a, Bühl, BW
Stay at this aparthotel in Bühl. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a rooftop terrace. Popular attractions Windeck Castle and Old Wine Cellar are located ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (38 reviews)
"All is good except the heavy duty winter duvets still in use. Too hot under, too cold without. Didn't sleep too well."

Reviewed on May 29, 2024

ADORO Aparthotel
Boutique Charme Apartments 10
Boutique Charme Apartments 10
Küferstraße 10, Baden-Baden
Stay at this apartment in Baden-Baden. Enjoy free WiFi and an in-room coffeemaker. Popular attractions Caracalla Spa and Motorway Church St. Christophorus are ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (4 reviews)
"Really liked the property and will stay again when we come back to Baden Baden"

Reviewed on Oct 25, 2024

Boutique Charme Apartments 10
Boutique Charme Apartments 12
Boutique Charme Apartments 12
Küferstraße 12, Baden-Baden
Stay at this apartment in Baden-Baden. Enjoy free WiFi and housekeeping. Popular attractions Caracalla Spa and Motorway Church St. Christophorus are located ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (9 reviews)
"Great apartment, high ceilings and plenty of windows and light. Only spent a night but really pleased with everything. Kitchen well stocked but the sink tap was quite stiff and hard to open. The bedroom is nice but in a triangle space so not much space on one end. Overall it’s definitely ..."

Reviewed on Aug 30, 2024

Boutique Charme Apartments 12
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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